5 Yet if the vineyard dependson me for protection,it will become my friendand be at peace with me.
6 Someday Israel will take rootlike a vine.It will blossom and bear fruitthat covers the earth.
7 I, the Lord, didn't punish and killthe people of Israelas fiercely as I punishedand killed their enemies.
8 I carefully measured outIsrael's punishmentand sent the scorching heatto chase them far away.
9 There's only one waythat Israel's sin and guiltcan be completely forgiven:They must crush the stonesof every pagan altarand place of worship.
10 Fortress cities are leftlike a desertwhere no one lives.Cattle walk through the ruins,stripping the trees bare.
11 When broken branchesfall to the ground,women pick them upto feed the fire.But these people are so stupidthat the God who created themwill show them no mercy.